Thursday, January 19, 2017

2017 Quilt Study Group of NSW events



The programme of events for the Quilt Study Group of NSW has now been set. The first talk will focus on the research and documentation of textiles. Sue Shaw, a social historian who researched military quilts at the Powerhouse Museum for her Masters and co-curated the 2007 ‘From Mothers to Daughters’ quilt exhibition with Dr Annette Gero, will talk about her recent purchase and research of  a rare Crimean war quilt that was made in Australia. Among the invited guests who will also talk about their research will be Jane Gibson, will bring her family quilt and workbag that appeared in the recent NGV quilt exhibition, and Catherine Porter will bring along a pincushion made from military uniforms. Bring along your own textile items to share their story with us. The talk will take place at 2pm on Saturday the 11th of March at The Glover Cottages.

The 2nd event will be a guided tour starting at 11am on Tuesday the 2nd of May of the textiles and building at Hambledon Cottage in Parramatta.  On seeing its poor condition, a group of Guild and non-Guild quilters replaced the Wood 1865 crazy quilt with a more appropriate Medallion quilt. We will tour the building in groups of 10 and later view all their textiles up close, including both of the quilts. Hambledon Cottage gives you a view of colonial life style and the Exhibition in the Lucas Gallery currently features an exhibition on the Parramatta Female Factory & some of the women who lived there. You will have to book your place on the tour via the Guild office so enough Hambledon Cottage volunteers can be organized for our visit but happily both Guild and non-Guild members are welcome on this tour.

The 3rd talk will take place on Saturday the 29th July at The Glover Cottages. Inspiring quilt teacher, pattern designer and quilt maker from the Blue Mountains, Chris Jurd, will talk about Foundation Piecing and show us how her favourite technique figures in her work. Come along to pick up lots of tips and see some of her gorgeous quilts.

Our last event for the year will be a talk at The Glover Cottages on Saturday the 11th of November. Since coverlets have appeared for the first time in the Sydney Quilt Show, we have asked Linda Butcher, noted quilt maker of coverlets, to talk to us about the history of this popular bed and wall covering and to show us examples of her work. Please bring along your own coverlets for show and tell.

Please encourage everyone you know who is interested in quilting and quilt history to come along to the 2017 The Quilt Study Group of NSW talks and tour. The Glover Cottages (124 Kent St, Sydney) is a beautiful light-filled venue for the talks and it is an easy walk from either Wynyard or Circular Quay train stations. Afternoon tea is provided and the talks start at 2pm. Entry for Guild members is $5, $10 for non-Guild member. Check the QuiltNSW website, blog or the latest Template Newsletter issue for more details.